When your back keeps “locking up” on a regular basis, it can be difficult to complete your day-to-day tasks. The problem is, there are a lot of potential factors that could be causing your back to “lock up” and getting to the root cause is absolutely essential to successful treatment. In this physical therapy education article we are going to talk about the potential reasons why your back keeps locking up and how physical therapy can help remedy the issue.
Potential Causes
Before we jump into the potential causes, let’s talk about what we mean when we say “locking up.” When patients say that their back is “locking up” or “seizing up” they are typically referring to a feeling of being unable to move their back for a short period of time. These episodes generally come on very quickly without warning, and dissipate shortly thereafter. However, they can happen quite frequently and be very painful.
There are a number of factors that could potentially be causing your back to “lock up.” Here are a few of the most common:
- Back Muscle Injuries
- Back Spasms
- Spinal Nerve Issues
Treatment Options & Physical Therapy
Treating your back issue always depends on the root cause of the pain or symptom. Some back pain, such as a mild muscle strain can be treated with conservative methods like rest and at-home stretching. In severe cases involving the spinal nerves, back surgery may be required. Physical therapy is helpful in many back pain situations – from back injuries to post-op back surgery recovery. A physical rehabilitation program works to increase your range-of-motion and functionality, while decreasing your back pain.
Edina Physical Therapy Clinic
The MN physical therapists at OrthoRehab Specialists have over twenty-five years of experience treating patients throughout the Twin Cities Metro area. We offer direct access to physical therapy (so you can make your appointment without a prescription), and also have standing referral relationships with hundreds of providers. We have treated countless patients suffering from back injuries and conditions, and we work in tandem with each patient to address their unique needs. Contact our Edina or Minneapolis physical therapy clinics today to set up your appointment with one of our Twin Cities physical therapists.